Children of Ash and Elm

Children of Ash and Elm Plot Summary

Introduction

The year is 793 CE. Dawn breaks over the holy island of Lindisfarne off the northeast coast of England. Monks are beginning their morning prayers when strange ships appear on the horizon. Within hours, the monastery lies in ruins, its treasures plundered, its monks slaughtered or taken as slaves. This shocking raid marks the beginning of the Viking Age – a period of extraordinary expansion that would see Scandinavian seafarers reach from North America to the Middle East, transforming the medieval world in their wake. The Viking phenomenon represents one of history's most remarkable cultural explosions. How did a sparsely populated region on Europe's northern fringe produce such an influential diaspora? What drove these seafarers to venture across treacherous oceans in open boats? And how did raiders eventually transform into settlers, merchants, and founders of kingdoms? This exploration takes us beyond the popular image of horn-helmeted warriors to discover a complex society of skilled craftspeople, bold entrepreneurs, and adaptable colonists whose legacy continues to shape our world today. Whether you're fascinated by medieval history, maritime exploration, or the development of European societies, this journey through the Viking Age reveals how a northern people changed the course of global history.

Chapter 1: Crisis and Emergence: Forging Viking Society (500-790 CE)

The Viking Age did not begin suddenly with the raid on Lindisfarne in 793. Its foundations were laid centuries earlier during a period of profound crisis and transformation across Scandinavia. Around 536 CE, a catastrophic climate event – likely caused by massive volcanic eruptions – created what scientists call a "dust veil" that blocked sunlight across the northern hemisphere for several years. For Scandinavia, already at the limits of agricultural viability, the consequences were devastating. Temperatures plummeted, crops failed for multiple seasons, and archaeological evidence suggests that up to half the population may have perished from starvation and related conflicts. This environmental disaster reshaped Scandinavian society. As old social structures collapsed, a new warrior elite emerged from the chaos. Archaeological evidence from sites like Valsgärde and Uppsala in Sweden reveals elaborate boat burials containing magnificent weapons, helmets decorated with mythological scenes, and other markers of a martial aristocracy. These powerful chieftains built great halls where they maintained their authority through displays of wealth, generosity, and military prowess. The hall culture that developed during this period would become a defining feature of Viking society, with its emphasis on honor, loyalty bonds, and the celebration of martial values through poetry and ritual. By the 7th century, these emerging elites had established extensive trade networks reaching far beyond Scandinavia. Excavations have revealed exotic goods like garnets from India, carnelian beads from the Middle East, and Byzantine coins at Scandinavian sites. These connections would later provide the infrastructure for Viking expansion. Simultaneously, iron production surged, particularly for weapons and ship components – Scandinavia was arming itself. The exploitation of resource-rich territories that supplied valuable trade goods like furs, walrus ivory, and tar created a pattern of resource extraction that would later characterize Viking economic activities abroad. Maritime technology developed rapidly during this period, culminating in the sophisticated vessels that would make the Viking expansion possible. Earlier ships like the Kvalsund vessel (dated to around 700 CE) show the evolution toward the iconic longship design – shallow-drafted, flexible, and capable of both ocean voyaging and river navigation. These ships represented enormous investments of resources and specialized labor, requiring carefully selected timber, iron for thousands of rivets, and skilled craftspeople to shape the overlapping planks that formed the hull. Control over shipbuilding resources became a crucial component of power and status. Social structures were also transforming. The old communal systems gave way to more hierarchical arrangements, with clear distinctions between aristocrats, free farmers, warriors, and slaves. Women maintained relatively high status compared to much of Europe, managing farms and households while men were away trading or raiding. Archaeological evidence from graves shows that some women wielded considerable wealth and power. The religious world was changing too, with the worship of Thor becoming increasingly prominent alongside the aristocratic cult of Odin. By the late 8th century, all the elements that would define the Viking Age were in place: a society organized around warrior elites with their retinues; an economy increasingly oriented toward long-distance trade; sophisticated shipbuilding technology; and a cultural emphasis on martial values, exploration, and acquisition of wealth. When these elements combined with population pressure and political developments, the result would be the explosive outward expansion we know as the Viking Age. The foundations had been laid for one of history's most remarkable cultural phenomena.

Chapter 2: Maritime Power: Ships, Trade Networks and First Raids

The Viking ship stands as one of history's most remarkable maritime innovations. These vessels were technological marvels that combined speed, maneuverability, shallow draft, and seaworthiness in ways no other contemporary ships could match. The iconic longship, with its symmetrical bow and stern, could be propelled by sail or oars, allowing it to operate effectively in diverse conditions. Archaeological discoveries like the Oseberg ship (built around 820 CE) and the Gokstad vessel (c. 890) reveal the sophistication of these craft, which combined practical utility with aesthetic beauty in their carved animal-head prows and intricate decorations. These ships represented enormous investments of resources and specialized labor. Building even a modest vessel required carefully selected timber grown in managed woodland, iron for thousands of rivets, and skilled craftspeople to shape the overlapping strakes (planks) that formed the hull. The largest warships required crews of 60-80 men and could transport additional warriors when needed. Smaller vessels served as tenders and transport craft, while specialized cargo ships called knarrs were designed for deep-sea trading voyages. This diverse fleet gave the Scandinavians unparalleled mobility and reach. Maritime trade had long been central to Scandinavian economies, but it expanded dramatically during the early Viking Age. A network of trading centers emerged across the Baltic and North Sea regions, including Hedeby in Denmark, Birka in Sweden, and Kaupang in Norway. These emporia functioned as hubs where goods from across the known world were exchanged – amber, furs, and walrus ivory from the north; silver, glass, and textiles from the south and east. Archaeological evidence from these sites reveals the cosmopolitan nature of Viking commerce, with Arabic coins, Byzantine silks, and Frankish pottery all found alongside local products. The first recorded Viking raid occurred in 793 CE at the monastery of Lindisfarne on England's northeast coast. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle famously records that "fearful portents appeared... and after that came great famine and very many invasions of heathen men destroyed God's church at Lindisfarne through rapine and slaughter." This attack shocked Christian Europe not merely for its violence, but for its targeting of a sacred site. Similar raids soon followed along the coasts of Britain, Ireland, and Francia. These early incursions were primarily small-scale, opportunistic affairs focused on acquiring portable wealth, particularly from poorly defended religious institutions rich in precious metals. What drove these initial raids remains debated. Population pressure in Scandinavia, political consolidation that displaced defeated rivals, and awareness of vulnerable wealth abroad all likely contributed. The raids also reflected a cultural ethos that valued martial prowess and the acquisition of wealth through both trade and plunder. For young men seeking to establish their reputations, raiding offered opportunities for both material gain and social prestige. As one skaldic poem puts it, a warrior should "gain wealth or fame, or both if he can." By the early 9th century, what had begun as isolated raids was evolving into something more systematic. Viking fleets grew larger and their attacks more coordinated. They established winter bases in the territories they targeted, extending their range of operations and allowing year-round campaigns. Trading and raiding existed on a continuum, with the same ships and crews often engaging in both activities depending on circumstances. This flexibility would prove crucial to the Vikings' success as they expanded their influence across Europe and beyond, creating a maritime network that stretched from Newfoundland to the Caspian Sea.

Chapter 3: Expansion and Conquest: The Viking Diaspora (800-950)

The Viking expansion that began with sporadic coastal raids in the late 8th century transformed into a massive diaspora by the mid-9th century. This period saw Scandinavian warriors, traders, and settlers establish footholds across an astonishing geographical range – from Newfoundland in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east. The scale and speed of this expansion was unprecedented in European history, facilitated by the Vikings' superior maritime technology and adaptable social structures. In the British Isles, Viking activity intensified dramatically after 835 CE with the arrival of the "Great Heathen Army" described in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This force, possibly led by the sons of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok seeking revenge for their father's death, conquered much of northern and eastern England, establishing the region known as the Danelaw. In Ireland, Norse settlers founded Dublin, Limerick, and other coastal towns that became important trading centers. The Scottish islands fell under Norse control, while the Hebrides and Isle of Man developed distinctive Norse-Celtic hybrid cultures. By the mid-10th century, Viking kingdoms had been established throughout the British Isles, fundamentally altering the political landscape. Simultaneously, Scandinavian adventurers pushed eastward along the great river systems of Eastern Europe. Swedish Vikings known as Rus' established trading posts at Staraya Ladoga, Novgorod, and Kiev, creating a network that connected the Baltic with the Black Sea and ultimately with the Byzantine Empire and Islamic Caliphate. Archaeological evidence from sites along these routes reveals an extraordinary flow of silver dirhams from the Islamic world into Scandinavia – tens of thousands of coins have been found in Viking hoards. The Rus' also engaged in slave trading, a darker aspect of their commercial activities documented by Arab observers like Ibn Fadlan, who described Scandinavian merchants selling enslaved people at markets along the Volga. The North Atlantic expansion represents perhaps the most remarkable achievement of Viking seafaring. Norse settlers colonized the Faroe Islands around 825, followed by Iceland in the 870s. Despite its marginal environment, Iceland attracted thousands of settlers, primarily from Norway, who established a unique republican society governed by the Althing assembly. By the late 10th century, Icelanders had pushed further west to Greenland, where Erik the Red founded two settlements that would survive for centuries. Around 1000 CE, expeditions led by Leif Erikson reached North America, establishing a short-lived settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland – the first European presence in the Americas, predating Columbus by nearly 500 years. What drove this unprecedented expansion? Economic motivations were certainly paramount – the search for silver, slaves, furs, and other valuable commodities fueled much Viking activity. Political factors also played a role, as the consolidation of power under kings like Harald Fairhair of Norway drove opponents into exile. Environmental pressures, including population growth against limited agricultural resources, encouraged outward movement. But perhaps most significant was the cultural ethos that valued exploration, risk-taking, and the acquisition of wealth and fame through foreign ventures. The Viking diaspora was not merely a story of conquest and plunder. Wherever they settled, Scandinavians adapted to local conditions while maintaining elements of their cultural identity. They established trading networks, introduced new technologies and artistic styles, and eventually adopted many aspects of the societies they encountered – most significantly Christianity. The genetic and cultural legacy of this expansion remains visible today across Northern Europe, the British Isles, and beyond, a testament to one of history's most remarkable population movements.

Chapter 4: Between Worlds: Religion, Identity and Cultural Exchange

The Viking Age was a period of profound cultural encounter between the pagan Norse and the two great monotheistic civilizations of medieval Europe and the Near East: Christianity and Islam. These interactions transformed Scandinavian society while simultaneously leaving a Norse imprint on the cultures they encountered. Far from being simple tales of conquest or conversion, these cross-cultural exchanges involved complex negotiations of identity, power, and belief that played out across generations. The Vikings' relationship with Christianity evolved dramatically over the course of the period. Early raids on monasteries like Lindisfarne (793) and Iona (795) reflected not just opportunistic targeting of wealthy, poorly defended institutions, but possibly also a deliberate attack on the religion of their enemies. Christian sources depict these raids in apocalyptic terms, with Alcuin of York lamenting that "the church of St. Cuthbert is spattered with the blood of the priests of God." Yet within a century, many Vikings had themselves adopted the Christian faith, beginning a process that would eventually transform Scandinavian society. Conversion occurred through multiple channels. In the British Isles and Francia, Viking settlers gradually adopted the religion of the societies they had conquered, often through pragmatic political alliances. The baptism of the Danish leader Guthrum in 878 as part of his peace treaty with Alfred the Great exemplifies this pattern. Missionary activity also played a role, with figures like Ansgar (the "Apostle of the North") establishing churches in Denmark and Sweden from the 830s onward. Archaeological evidence from graves shows the gradual adoption of Christian burial practices, with grave goods disappearing and east-west oriented inhumations replacing cremation or ship burial. The conversion process was neither rapid nor straightforward. For decades, many Scandinavians practiced a syncretic faith incorporating elements of both traditions. Excavations have revealed Thor's hammer amulets and Christian crosses sometimes buried with the same individual. The famous Jelling monument in Denmark, erected by Harald Bluetooth around 965, bears both pagan and Christian imagery, along with an inscription claiming that Harald "made the Danes Christian." This royal conversion accelerated the process in Denmark, though Christianity would not fully triumph in Sweden and parts of Norway until the 11th century. To the east, Vikings encountered the Islamic world through their trading activities along the Volga and Dnieper rivers. The remarkable account of Ibn Fadlan, who met Rus' traders on the Volga in 922, provides a vivid outsider's perspective on Viking customs, describing their physical appearance, hygiene practices, sexual behavior, and funeral rituals in sometimes unflattering detail. Archaeological evidence confirms extensive contact, with tens of thousands of Islamic silver coins found in Scandinavia, often modified with Norse symbols or converted into jewelry. The Vikings' own cultural impact on the societies they encountered was equally significant. In England, the Danelaw region developed a distinctive Anglo-Scandinavian culture with its own legal traditions, settlement patterns, and linguistic features. Over 1,400 place names of Scandinavian origin survive in modern England, along with hundreds of words borrowed from Old Norse into English. In Ireland, Norse settlers established the island's first true urban centers and integrated into Gaelic society while maintaining distinctive cultural practices. In Russia, Scandinavian elites provided the founding dynasty for what would become one of Europe's greatest powers, though they quickly assimilated into Slavic culture.

Chapter 5: From Raiders to Rulers: Political Transformation

Between 850 and 950 CE, Viking activity underwent a profound transformation from primarily raiding to settlement, trade, and political domination. This shift reflected both changing opportunities abroad and evolving social structures within Scandinavia itself. The Vikings who had once been content with seasonal plunder increasingly sought permanent footholds in foreign lands, establishing trading centers, founding dynasties, and creating new hybrid societies that blended Scandinavian and local elements. In England, the Great Heathen Army that arrived in 865 marked a turning point. Unlike earlier raiders who returned home with their plunder, these warriors came to stay. After years of campaigning, they divided the conquered territories and established settlements across eastern England. Archaeological evidence from places like Jorvik (York) reveals thriving urban centers where Scandinavian craftspeople, merchants, and farmers lived alongside the native population. The distinctive Anglo-Scandinavian culture that emerged in the Danelaw region influenced language, law, and settlement patterns that remain visible in modern England. By the early 10th century, the Viking leader Guthrum had been baptized with King Alfred of Wessex as his godfather, symbolizing the increasing integration of Norse settlers into English society. Similar patterns unfolded in Ireland, where initial raiding gave way to the establishment of longphorts – fortified harbors that evolved into Ireland's first true urban centers. Dublin, founded by Norse settlers around 841, became a major hub in networks connecting the Irish Sea region with Scandinavia and beyond. Excavations there have revealed workshops producing specialized goods, extensive evidence of long-distance trade, and signs of cultural hybridization as Vikings adopted elements of Irish culture while introducing Scandinavian practices. By the mid-10th century, the Norse-Irish dynasty of Olaf Guthfrithsson controlled a kingdom spanning the Irish Sea, demonstrating how Viking leaders had transformed from raiders to sophisticated political actors. In the east, the Rus' trading network evolved into the foundations of the first Russian state. According to the Russian Primary Chronicle, in 862 Slavic tribes invited the Varangian (Swedish Viking) leader Rurik to rule over them, establishing the dynasty that would eventually unite the region. While this account contains legendary elements, archaeological evidence confirms the Scandinavian presence in early urban centers like Novgorod and Kiev. The Rus' rulers quickly adopted local Slavic customs and religion, eventually converting to Orthodox Christianity under Vladimir the Great in 988. This eastern Viking legacy would follow a different trajectory from its western counterpart, becoming thoroughly integrated into Slavic culture while maintaining trading connections with Scandinavia. This transformation from raiders to rulers was accompanied by significant economic changes. Viking commercial networks grew increasingly sophisticated, with specialized merchant vessels (knarrs) plying established trade routes. Market towns in Scandinavia like Birka, Hedeby, and Kaupang flourished as international trading centers where goods from across the known world were exchanged. Standardized weights found throughout the Viking world suggest organized commercial practices, while the enormous quantity of Islamic silver coins discovered in Scandinavian hoards testifies to the scale of this trade. The process of state formation accelerated within Scandinavia itself during this period. Kings like Harald Bluetooth of Denmark and Harald Fairhair of Norway consolidated power, challenging the traditional authority of local chieftains and regional assemblies. These monarchs employed both military force and ideological tools to extend their control, building monumental structures like the Trelleborg fortresses in Denmark that demonstrated royal power. By the mid-10th century, the foundations had been laid for the medieval kingdoms that would eventually succeed the Viking Age political order, transforming Scandinavia from a region of competing chieftaincies into a collection of Christian kingdoms increasingly integrated into European political systems.

Chapter 6: The Atlantic Frontier: Exploration of New Worlds

The Viking expansion into the North Atlantic represents one of history's most remarkable feats of exploration and colonization. Beginning in the late eighth century, Norse seafarers pushed westward across some of the world's most dangerous waters, establishing settlements on previously uninhabited islands and eventually reaching North America itself. This Atlantic frontier became a distinctive region of the Viking world, where Norse culture adapted to challenging new environments far from the Scandinavian homelands. The Faroe Islands were likely the first stepping stone in this westward movement, settled in the early ninth century. From there, Vikings reached Iceland around 870, where they found an uninhabited land of glaciers, volcanoes, and grassy lowlands. The settlement of Iceland, known as landnám or "land-taking," accelerated after 874 when political developments in Norway pushed many chieftains to seek independence overseas. The Book of Settlements (Landnámabók) records the stories of these pioneers, including remarkable figures like Aud the Deep-Minded, a widow who led a large household across the ocean and became one of Iceland's greatest landholders. Iceland developed a unique society unlike any other in the Viking world. Without kings or nobles, the Icelanders created a republic governed by assemblies of free farmers. The national assembly, the Althing, met annually at Thingvellir, where laws were recited from memory and disputes were settled. This decentralized system worked reasonably well for centuries, though the sagas reveal a society often torn by blood feuds between competing families. Archaeological evidence from sites like Hofstadir in northern Iceland has uncovered elaborate ritual buildings where pagan ceremonies continued alongside the gradual acceptance of Christianity around the year 1000. The Norse expansion continued westward with the colonization of Greenland in the 980s. According to the sagas, Erik the Red discovered Greenland when exiled from Iceland and later returned with settlers, naming it "Greenland" because "people would be more eager to go there if it had an attractive name." Despite the misleading name, Norse Greenlanders established successful farming communities in the southwestern fjords, raising livestock and hunting walrus for valuable ivory. Archaeological excavations have revealed substantial farms, churches, and evidence of trade with Europe. At its height, Norse Greenland supported a population of several thousand in two main settlements. The most remarkable achievement of the Atlantic frontier was the discovery of North America. According to the Saga of the Greenlanders and the Saga of Erik the Red, expeditions from Greenland reached lands they called Helluland (likely Baffin Island), Markland (probably Labrador), and Vinland (somewhere further south). Around the year 1000, Leif Eriksson established a base at "Leifsbúdir," and subsequent expeditions attempted more permanent settlement. In 1960, archaeologists discovered the remains of Norse buildings at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, confirming the saga accounts. The site included dwellings, workshops, and evidence of metalworking, but appears to have been occupied for only a few years. The sagas describe encounters with indigenous peoples whom the Norse called skrælingar. Initial trading contacts soon turned violent, and the Norse eventually abandoned their North American foothold. However, evidence suggests continued voyages to collect timber from "Markland" as late as the 14th century. Meanwhile, in Greenland, the Norse colonies persisted for nearly 500 years before mysteriously disappearing in the 15th century, likely due to climate change, economic isolation, and conflicts with Inuit peoples who had expanded into the region. The Atlantic frontier represents both the greatest geographical extent of the Viking diaspora and its most distinctive cultural adaptation. In these remote colonies, Norse traditions evolved in isolation, preserving elements of Viking culture long after they had disappeared in Scandinavia itself. The Icelandic sagas, written down in the 13th century, preserved the stories and worldview of the Viking Age, creating a literary legacy that continues to shape our understanding of this remarkable period of exploration and settlement.

Chapter 7: Legacy: How Viking Societies Shaped Northern Europe

The Viking Age formally concluded in the mid-11th century, traditionally marked by events like the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, where the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada fell in his attempt to claim the English throne. Yet the legacy of this remarkable period extends far beyond these terminal dates, fundamentally reshaping the political, cultural, and genetic landscape of Northern Europe in ways that remain visible today. The Vikings did not simply disappear – they transformed, leaving enduring imprints on the societies they had encountered and helped create. Politically, the Viking diaspora redrew the map of Europe. In the British Isles, Scandinavian settlement permanently altered demographic patterns, particularly in northern and eastern England, Scotland, and parts of Ireland. The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 – itself led by descendants of Viking settlers in Normandy – built upon foundations laid by earlier Norse influence. In the east, the Rurikid dynasty established by Swedish Vikings would rule Russia until 1598, overseeing its conversion to Orthodox Christianity and early territorial expansion. Meanwhile, in Scandinavia itself, the process of state formation accelerated during the late Viking Age led to the emergence of the unified kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden that would dominate northern European politics for centuries. The Vikings' economic legacy was equally profound. Their trading networks connected previously isolated regions, integrating northern Europe into wider patterns of international commerce. The urban centers they established or developed – from Dublin to Novgorod – became permanent fixtures in the European economic landscape. Viking commercial practices, including standardized weights and measures, contributed to the development of more sophisticated trading systems. Perhaps most significantly, their exploration and settlement of the North Atlantic created new societies in previously uninhabited or sparsely populated regions. Iceland's unique republican system, established by Norse settlers around 930 CE, produced one of medieval Europe's most remarkable political experiments and a literary tradition that preserved much of what we know about Viking culture. Linguistically, the Viking impact remains embedded in modern languages. English absorbed hundreds of Old Norse words, including fundamental terms like "sky," "law," "husband," and "window." Place names of Scandinavian origin dot the map across the Viking world, from "Kirkwall" in Orkney to "Novgorod" ("new town") in Russia. In northern England, grammatical features derived from Old Norse influenced dialect development, while Scandinavian linguistic elements were incorporated into Norman French and carried back to the British Isles after 1066. Even personal names of Norse origin – like Harold, Roger, and William – became common throughout Europe. The genetic legacy of Viking expansion has been revealed through recent genomic studies, showing significant Scandinavian ancestry in populations across the North Atlantic, British Isles, and parts of Eastern Europe. These studies have also demonstrated the complexity of Viking-Age movements, revealing that many who participated in Viking activities were not themselves of Scandinavian ancestry, while women played a more significant role in the diaspora than previously recognized. The Viking Age was not simply an expansion of homogeneous Norse populations but a complex demographic phenomenon involving multiple ethnic groups and considerable cultural exchange. Perhaps the most enduring Viking legacy lies in the realm of cultural memory and identity. The medieval Icelandic sagas, written down centuries after the events they describe but preserving older oral traditions, created a literary monument that continues to influence our understanding of the period. From 19th-century Romantic nationalism to modern popular culture, the Viking image has been repeatedly reinvented to serve contemporary needs. The true Viking legacy lies not in these modern reimaginings but in their actual historical impact: the creation of new societies through migration and cultural exchange; the establishment of trading networks that connected distant regions; the development of technologies and practices adapted to challenging environments; and the foundation of political structures that would evolve into modern states.

Summary

The Viking Age represents one of history's most remarkable cultural explosions, transforming Northern Europe and beyond through a complex interplay of violence, trade, settlement, and cultural exchange. From its origins in the environmental crisis of the 6th century to its culmination in the Christian kingdoms of the 11th century, this period saw Scandinavian societies evolve from fragmented chieftaincies into sophisticated political entities with global connections. The Vikings were not simply raiders but adaptable cultural brokers who created new hybrid societies wherever they settled, from the Danelaw in England to Kievan Rus' in the east. Their maritime innovations enabled them to create networks spanning half the known world, connecting previously isolated regions and facilitating unprecedented cultural and economic exchange. The legacy of the Viking Age continues to resonate in our modern world, offering valuable insights into how societies respond to environmental challenges, how cultural identities evolve through contact with others, and how technological innovation can transform historical trajectories. The Vikings remind us that history is rarely simple – the same people who conducted brutal raids also created sophisticated art, established democratic assemblies in Iceland, and pushed the boundaries of human exploration to North America. Their story teaches us that cultural adaptation and flexibility are often more important than military might in creating lasting influence. As we face our own era of rapid change and global interconnection, the Viking Age offers a compelling historical parallel – a reminder that periods of disruption can lead to remarkable cultural creativity and new forms of human organization that endure long after the initial tumult has passed.

About Author

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Neil Price

Neil Price is an English archaeologist specialising in the study of Viking Age Scandinavia and the archaeology of shamanism. He is currently a professor in the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History at Uppsala University, Sweden.Born in south-west London, Price went on to gain a BA in Archaeology at the University of London, before writing his first book, The Vikings in Brittany, which was published in 1989. He undertook his doctoral research from 1988 through to 1992 at the University of York, before moving to Sweden, where he completed his PhD at the University of Uppsala in 2002. In 2001, he edited an anthology entitled The Archaeology of Shamanism for Routledge, and the following year published and defended his doctoral thesis, The Viking Way. The Viking Way would be critically appraised as one of the most important studies of the Viking Age and pre-Christian religion by other archaeologists like Matthew Townend and Martin Carver.

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